Rose was happy that Christmas was done. That horrid Elf on a Shelf was gone. Rose could stop worrying that someone was always watching her.
Now, it was Valentine’s Day, which was no fun at Rose’s school. The nice teachers might bring Sweethearts or lollipops. Some teachers would wear red, and maybe bring construction paper for classes to make a few cards.
In Rose’s neighborhood, people couldn’t waste money on candy and cards.
“Let’s go!,” Mom said as she grabbed Rose’s backpack. Rose did not know that the Elf on the Shelf’s cousin, Valentiny, had zipped herself into Rose’s bag while Rose was asleep.
Valentiny was invisible, except to children. Only those with the kindest hearts ever caught a glimpse of her. She flashed like a star.
Unlike the Elf, Valentiny knew that children were good. And she knew how much children need TLC, even when they turn 14.
Overnight, Valentiny had swept through Rose’s school, filling each locker with golden chocolate coins–and a few real ones.
When the children opened their lockers that morning, the coins poured out everywhere. It was chaos: joyful disruption. Even the meanest teachers nearly smiled.
And while the children ate chocolate for breakfast and licked their chocolately lips, Valentiny danced away, a shooting star.